Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Beefed up manual transmission?

[george]

Does anybody know if any of the companies that sell a beefed up auto transmission also sell beefed up 5 speeds?

 

[pwerwagn]

Quad 4x4, STD trans, and Blumenthal all sell "beefed up" 5-speeds.

What do you keep breaking? If its the input shaft, you can go to the 1-3/8". If its the 5th gear problem, you can get the fully splined mainshaft.

I think Quad 4x4 has the best one out, and I believe they call it the "torque king".



--Jeff

 

[Highfinance97]

Good luck finding a beefed up nv4500. ive been through 2 new ones and 3 rebuilds all were blumenthals 3rd gear 3 times,fifth gear once,overdrive clutch gear twice. im not bashing blumenthal at all because i know im way above the tourqe rating but... . i could have converted it to an auto by now like i want to with all the $$ spent. if you hear anything about a beefy standard transmission let me know



Michael

 

[CTD12V]

George, you might want to consider converting to an NV5600. I read that it is rated to handle more torque than the NV4500. On the other hand, I've also heard rumors that it is also trouble prone. Anyone with firsthand experience swapping in a 6-speed for the 5 want to chime in? Pros and cons?



When I lost 5th gear on my NV4500, I ordered a fully splined mainshaft and new 5th gear and nut from Quad 4x4. Dan is a great guy to deal with, and he answered all my questions--he seems to know his stuff well. I couldn't afford any of their better upgrades, but if you want a beefed-up 5-speed, my $0. 02 would be to get one of thiers--they looked like they had a good product and good support. Good luck.



CTD12V

 

[george]

thanks for the info

I recently started having problems with the transmission, it's limited to 3rd gear I'm hearing chatter and feeling vibration. The shop said maybe a broken tooth, they wouldn't know until they tore it apart, it could be a simple fix or could be more involved. So naturally I'm thinkmore involved. They can order a new transmission and be done with it but I was thinking if I get a new transmission I might as well get one a bit stronger since I'm putting almost 500hp to the ground.

 

[FATCAT]

Call Quad 4X4 and have dan set u up with a new NV4500 with the Torque King main shaft and the cast iron tail housing. That and upgrade your clutch to the 13. 25" (Southbend or Luk) and have your flywheel redrilled for size.

Get Dan's (Quad 4X4), torque king flywheel pilot bearing. Get the SHIFT LEVER KIT because you will need it, the new NV4500's are of the 1998+ style.

And you better hop on it NOWWWWW cause Dan doesn't have too many left.



http://quad4x4.com/NV4500 transmission .htm

 

[george]

Thanks for the info. I already have an email in to Dan, I'll talk to him tomorrow. I already have a South bend clutch in, not sure if it's the 13. 25 though.

 

[FATCAT]

Thanks for the info. I already have an email in to Dan, I'll talk to him tomorrow. I already have a South bend clutch in, not sure if it's the 13. 25 though.

If you currently have a 12. 25" SB clutch in your truck ... YOU NEED TO REPLACE IT. My old 12. 25" SB's rivits were almost completly snapped through and I almost had a hub failure.

With the power upgrades you NEED to have a 13. 25" clutch and flywheel work done (what the 6-speed trannys use).

Good luck.

Think of it this way ... what you would spend on a nice transmission and clutch job would equal about 6 months of payments on a new truck ... do the upgrade.

 

[george]

If you currently have a 12. 25" SB clutch in your truck ... YOU NEED TO REPLACE IT. My old 12. 25" SB's rivits were almost completly snapped through and I almost had a hub failure.

With the power upgrades you NEED to have a 13. 25" clutch and flywheel work done (what the 6-speed trannys use).

Good luck.

Think of it this way ... what you would spend on a nice transmission and clutch job would equal about 6 months of payments on a new truck ... do the upgrade.

Thanks Fatcat



I spoke to the shop that did my clutch work and they told me they installed the 13" same as the 6 speed, I also received an email from Dan that wasn't too reassuring to say the least, here is a copy of his response. Kinda makes me wish I had bought an auto, at least you can get a bullet proof transmission for them.



George,



We do offer brand new transmissions with our Torque King mainshaft

which is not subject to fifth gear failures that plague all other NV4500

mainshaft designs. Our shaft/gear/nut set is not available from any other

source.



While our TK equipped is the best NV4500 available, I have to point out

the NV4500 itself is not adequate for handling the type of horsepower

you have on a sustained basis. The bearing, gear, spline and shaft

sizes are sufficient up to about 265hp and 600 ft-lbs of torque (NV4500HD

factory rating is only 460 ft-lbs). Your 1996 engine started out with

235 or so hp. While the engine can handle much higher loads, nothing

else in the drivetrain can. A year ago, I would have said install a

NV5600, but since they are out of production, I can not truthfully tell you

more than we have the best NV4500 available, but if you use your 500hp

with it, you will not get the transmission life you could expect if you

had a stock or near stock engine.



Dan

 

[CTD12V]

A year ago, I would have said install a

NV5600, but since they are out of production, I can not truthfully tell you

more than we have the best NV4500 available, but if you use your 500hp

with it, you will not get the transmission life you could expect if you

had a stock or near stock engine.



Dan

Ouch So there goes my dreams of converting to a 6-speed. :{ :{ Sorry to hear that, George.



CTD12V

 

[george]

oh well

Ouch So there goes my dreams of converting to a 6-speed. :{ :{ Sorry to hear that, George.



CTD12V

Oh well, that's life, if you play you pay. I have my new transmission ordered from Quad 4x4 looking forward to it arriving, I'm getting a little tired of shifting from 2nd to 4th.

 

[george]

update

Ordered the new transmission from Quad 4x4 on Friday, it arrived on Tuesday (yesterday) installed today. Feels good and tight I was getting tired of shifting from 2nd to 4th.

 

[CTD12V]

Cool, hope it works well for you.